Cheng Rui wasn’t someone who would easily trust with just a few words. She was extremely cautious. Wang Haoran understood that gaining her trust wouldn’t be quick. Furthermore, Cheng Rui wasn’t a main female lead, and Wang Haoran wasn’t inclined to spend too much time on her.

With this in mind, Wang Haoran communicated with the system. His charm aura, which could only be used once every 72 hours, was available since he last used it on Yang Jingwan three days ago.

Initially, Wang Haoran planned to reserve its use for main female leads due to its restriction. Before meeting Cheng Rui, he hadn’t intended to use the charm aura on her at all. Firstly, Cheng Rui wasn’t a main female lead, and secondly, she was married. Wang Haoran wasn’t like the historical figure Cao Cao, who would covet another man’s wife.

Wang Haoran originally intended to subtly control Cheng Rui through a fake partnership. However, her ambition, rationality, intelligence, and self-discipline meant that without some special measure, turning her into a puppet was impossible.

Thus, Wang Haoran decided to use the charm aura on her. With this decision, he instructed the system to activate the charm aura on Cheng Rui.

[Ding, the host has used the charm aura on the supporting female character Cheng Rui. Her favorability towards the host has increased to the maximum value of 100.]

Upon hearing the system’s notification, Wang Haoran observed Cheng Rui closely. Her initially pitiful expression briefly softened with a hint of infatuation, which then vanished quickly.

Wang Haoran paused briefly, then asked Cheng Rui, “Can we have an open and honest conversation now?”

“My husband is waiting for me for dinner. Please let me go, or he’ll worry,” Cheng Rui responded in a slightly serious tone.

Wang Haoran frowned upon hearing this. Cheng Rui clearly wasn’t inclined to converse and used Ma Hongsheng as leverage. It puzzled Wang Haoran—was the charm aura ineffective? Otherwise, why was Cheng Rui still resistant?

Left with no option, Wang Haoran decided to let Cheng Rui go. Before opening the door, he used his X-ray vision to check outside. He noticed Ma Weicai walking towards the utility room after exiting the restroom, on his way back to Ma Hongsheng’s ward.

With a sudden idea, Wang Haoran opened the door and said, “Sorry for the disturbance, you may leave.”

Cheng Rui, with a slight victorious smile, walked out of the room, with Wang Haoran following.

“What were you both doing in there?” Ma Weicai exclaimed upon seeing them exit the utility room.

Cheng Rui’s expression changed slightly, about to provide an explanation.

“We didn’t do anything, don’t jump to conclusions!” Wang Haoran quickly interrupted, feigning flustered innocence.

Ma Weicai, not the brightest, instantly conjured up various scenarios. “Cheng Rui, throwing away any pretense to sneak around with a handsome guy behind my father’s back! Bold!” Ma Weicai seemed thrilled at stumbling upon such gossip.

Then he turned to Wang Haoran with an admiring gaze, “You’ve got skills to win over Cheng Rui!”

Ma Weicai, previously threatened by Cheng Rui, had tried various handsome men to lure her, but she wasn’t swayed. Seeing Wang Haoran with her, he couldn’t help but respect Wang Haoran’s “success.”

“You’re misunderstanding, Cheng Rui and I were simply talking in the utility room, nothing more. We’re innocent,” Wang Haoran said, patting Ma Weicai’s shoulder.

Ma Weicai felt a slight sting on his shoulder, like a mosquito bite, but ignored it. He focused on the conversation. To him, Wang Haoran’s urgency to explain confirmed something was up with Cheng Rui.

“I believe you, but let’s see if my dad will,” Ma Weicai chuckled, heading to Ma Hongsheng’s ward. His demeanor clearly indicated he planned to tattle.

“Are you crazy? There’s nothing going on, yet your eagerness to explain makes it worse. If Hongsheng believes it, you’re in trouble!” Cheng Rui, seeing Ma Weicai rush off, lost her composure and snapped at Wang Haoran, her emotions slightly scattered.

Hearing this, Wang Haoran was intrigued. Though Cheng Rui was scolding him, it wasn’t blameful but out of concern for him. Could she actually care about him? Of course not magically. It seemed the 100 favorability worked; Cheng Rui was just skilled at controlling her emotions.

“Are you worried about me?” Wang Haoran asked, even though he wasn’t like Cao Cao; he had to play along to destabilize the rival faction.

“Who’s worried about you? You brought this on yourself. If you mess up, you deserve it!” Cheng Rui retorted, turning towards Ma Hongsheng’s ward.

Wang Haoran couldn’t help but smile. This woman wouldn’t admit it verbally, but her concern was evident. With that thought, he leisurely made his way to the ward, not in any hurry.

He had left Ma Weicai something to report, intending to force Cheng Rui to cooperate with him. As for Ma Hongsheng’s potential anger, he didn’t care. Ma Hongsheng, being part of the rival faction, had a bleak chance of swaying over. In Wang Haoran’s plan, Ma Hongsheng was bound to “have an accident” soon. Otherwise, how would Cheng Rui rightfully inherit his assets?

…

“What did you say? You caught Ah Rui in a tryst with this Mr. Zhen’s son?!” In the ward, Ma Hongsheng was shocked upon hearing Ma Weicai’s revelation.

“It’s absolutely true, I saw them leaving the utility room together!” Ma Weicai confirmed, nearly spilling his saliva.

Zhen Li’s heart raced hearing this. She believed her son was capable of charming any woman, even someone as beautiful as Cheng Rui. However, if true, it could lead to trouble. Though Ma Hongsheng seemed calm, this matter affected his family’s reputation, and if provoked, the consequences could be serious.

Ma Hongsheng listened with a frown but didn’t act rashly. He wasn’t one to base his suspicions on Ma Weicai’s account alone.